[Gwanrim Hanok Estate]
(Kim Residence)
(10:00 AM)
The Gwanrim Hanok Estate stood quiet under the morning sky, its tiled roofs and wooden pillars untouched by modern chaos.
Inside the main hall,
Mrs. Kim sat upright on a low wooden chair, her posture straight, spine unbending, dressed in hanbok.
The muted silk fabric flowed neatly over her frame, colors dignified and restrained much like her expression.
In front of her sat Ji Hara,
Head lowered respectfully, hands folded tightly on her lap.
She wore her company uniform, back stiff, breath shallow.
The air felt heavy.
"Speak,"
Mrs. Kim said calmly.
Hara swallowed and raised her head slightly.
"Madam, I'm one hundred percent sure,"
She said carefully.
"The person who came to the office with Miss Haru was an omega."
Mrs. Kim's fingers stilled on the armrest.
"And Haru?"
She asked.
Hara nodded.
"She was very attached to omega.
Unnaturally attached.
As if they've been together for a long time."
Mrs Kim, asked with low voice.
"Was it a male omega?"
Hara hesitated.
"I…... I'm not sure, madam
Everyone at the office was confused,"
She admitted.
"The omega was too pretty.
We couldn't distinguish whether it was a male or female omega."
Mrs. Kim's eyes flicked toward her.
"A male omega can be pretty,"
She said coolly.
Hara lowered her head again.
"Yes, madam."
She continued carefully, sensing the danger in the room.
"I didn't see him closely, but Miss Haru was holding onto him the entire time.
And Young Master Taekyun was following him."
Mrs. Kim's jaw tightened.
"He took them out for a meal,"
Hara added.
"They seemed close. Attached."
She paused, then spoke the words that shattered the stillness.
"They looked like a married couple."
Silence.
And then
"Jiwong."
Mrs. Kim's voice snapped sharply through the hall.
A servant hurried in, immediately bowing deeply.
"Yes, madam."
"Start the car. Now,"
Mrs. Kim ordered as she stood.
"We're going to Taekyun's residence."
"Yes, madam."
The servant rushed away.
Hara lifted her head anxiously.
"Madam"
Mrs. Kim stopped in her tracks and turned.
"I still need you,"
She said coldly.
"You'll inform me of everything that happens at the office. Understand?"
Hara nodded quickly.
"Yes, madam."
Mrs. Kim left without another word.
Moments later,
Hara stepped aside and pulled out her phone.
"Hello, Liya,"
She whispered.
A voice answered from the other end.
"Is it done?"
Liya asked eagerly.
Hara smirked.
"Yes. Mrs. Kim left in anger.
She'll be there until evening."
Liya laughed softly.
"Good. I'll pay you on time."
Hara chuckled.
"Who knew I'd make a younger friend at the villa too."
Liya's voice turned sharp with amusement.
"Of course. We have similar jobs."
Then she added, lightly, cruelly:
"Let's hope this Haneul gets kicked out or maybe killed soon."
They both laughed.
(Taekyun's Residence)
The morning sunlight filtered through the large windows, illuminating the breakfast table.
Haneul sat there, holding a slice of bread in his hand, kneeling slightly toward Haru.
"Here,"
He coaxed gently.
Haru shook her head stubbornly.
"No. No!" lips pursed.
"Haru,"
Haneul sighed tiredly, rubbing his forehead. "You already have a cavity.
If you keep eating chocolate, it'll hurt more."
She shook her head again.
"No!"
"Eat butter bread,"
Haneul continued patiently.
"It'll make you stronger."
Haru crossed her arms.
"No."
Haneul finally placed the bread back on the plate and rested his chin on the table, exhausted.
Since four in the morning, Haru had been crying from tooth pain.
By seven, after pain relief, she finally slept again.
Now awake, she was back to demanding chocolate bread.
Haru peeked at him.
"Umma,"
She called softly.
Haneul didn't respond.
"Umma,"
She tried again.
Still nothing.
Slowly, after several attempts, Haru reached for the bread herself.
She took a careful bite, chewing slowly, watching Haneul's face.
"Umma,"
She said again.
Haneul turned his head.
Haru smiled brightly mid-bite.
Haneul's expression softened instantly.
He reached out and gently rubbed her head.
"Good girl,"
He praised.
"Eat lots of butter. You'll get healthy."
He smiled faintly.
"Then you'll be even stronger than your dad."
Haru grinned proudly and continued eating.
Haneul finally picked up his own food and began eating beside her.
[Taekyun's Room]
The bathroom door opened, steam escaping as Taekyun stepped out, freshly showered.
He was buttoning his shirt when a knock sounded.
"Come in,"
He said.
Bora entered quietly, placing a breakfast tray on the table.
He opened his mouth to speak.
"Bora"
"Yes, sir?"
His phone rang.
"Hold on,"
Taekyun said, answering the call.
As he listened, his expression hardened.
He said nothing, only nodding once before ending the call.
Bora watched him carefully.
"Is everything okay, sir?"
"Mother is coming,"
Taekyun said.
Bora froze.
"That doesn't sound good."
She had been with Taekyun long enough to know.
The Kim family never visited without reason.
And when Mrs. Kim came personally, it meant disaster.
"It would be better if Haneul stays with you tonight,"
Taekyun said quietly.
"I don't want Mother to see him."
Bora understood immediately.
This wasn't concern.
This was protection.
The Kim family hated male omegas.
And Haneul connected to Taekyun, to Haru, to another world would be unforgivable.
"I'll make sure everything is arranged, sir," Bora said firmly.
Taekyun nodded.
She lifted the breakfast tray again, knowing he wouldn't eat if pressed, and left the room.
Taekyun stood alone.
He looked down, fingers curling slowly.
Sadness spread across his face, heavy and unavoidable.